Don’t forget about your hands. They are always exposed to the environment and are abused by our actions. They are one of the first places aging is seen, along with the neck and colletage (chest).
In the winter hand cream is a must, and so are gloves. Gloves are not just meant for warmth, but also for protection from the elements. You may not get cold hands when the temperature starts to drop, but your hands are still feeling the effects of the environment.
Dry winter air has lower levels of humidity and sucks the moisture from your skin. This is why it is critical to not only protect your face with a barrier protector, but also protect your hands.
And if you work in an office and handle a lot of paper, that paper is going to be absorbing oils and moisture from your hands as well, as you probably already can tell. So couple that with winter weather and you have an aging disaster literally on your hands!
So here is the rule:
When the temperature drops below 50: It’s time to start wearing gloves. These can be a lightweight glove such as leather or cotton.
When the temperature drops below 40: It’s time to bring out the warm woolies! Heavier duty gloves are now required. These can be fleece-lined or heavier woolen gloves.
And mandatory is a good emollient hand cream before slipping into your gloves.
But in order for your hands to be able to fully absorb the hand cream, you need to give them a quick scrub.
Super simple home scrub:
Olive oil and sugar. Add a little of each to the palm of one hand. Enough to make a loose paste. Now just massage all over your hands. Get the palms, the backs, the knuckles, even the cuticles. Rinse with warm water and pat dry. Now slather on your hand cream.
If you really want to be “natural” try using a few drops of olive oil, jojoba oil, vitamin e oil, or shea butter as your “hand cream.”
But critical is the wearing of the gloves. It’s the perfect way to indulge your inner glove fetishist and keep your hands young looking!
Cassandra Lanning is esthetician/electrologist/owner of The Bathery Electrolysis & Skincare in Kirkland. For information, visit www.thebathery.com.
